It's only been a week since the Tour de France kicked off spectacularly in Yorkshire with over 2.5 million people lining the routes to watch the cycling event, including our Ramsdens team.
The Grand Départ saw a procession of 198 riders make their way to Harewood House for a very Royal welcome.
The Duchess of Cambridge, with help from husband Prince William and his brother Prince Harry, cut the ribbon to officially start the race. The first stage passed through towns and villages including Otley, Skipton, Ilkley, Hawes, Leyburn and Ripon before a sprint finish saw Germany’s Marcel Kittel take victory.
Unfortunately, Mark Cavendish has withdrawn from the remainder of this year’s Tour de France after dislocating his shoulder on the first day, suffering ligament damage in a crash in his mother’s home town of Harrogate. Despite his hopes of victory being shattered, he pedalled over the finish line to a huge reception from spectators.
Last Sunday’s stage from York to Sheffield saw 60,000 fans lining the road on Holme Moss, the longest and toughest of the stage’s nine categorised ascents, with thousands more lining the other eight. The cyclists raced through Knaresborough, Keighley, Hebden Bridge, Elland, Holmfirth and Huddersfield, where cyclists raced past our Ramsden Street office.
Italian Vincenzo Nibali took the victory for stage two, which signalled the end of the Yorkshire stretch of the Tour de France.
We had a great time getting involved in all the celebrations last weekend, showing our support for the cyclists and appreciation for the world of cycling with our yellow and French themed dress up days and yellow Ramsdens bicycles, which were placed around the cycling route.
Visit our Facebook page to see more of our #yellowfever Tour de Ramsdens pictures.